Still room for first buyers

With fewer first buyers taking out home loans than a decade ago, one might have concerns for the future of the Great Australian Dream.
While affordability is squeezing high-demand capitals, such as Sydney and Melbourne, interest rates remain at record lows, continuing to give astute first-time buyers opportunities to purchase their piece of the property pie.
Just because you can’t afford what or where you want to buy first up, doesn’t mean you should forego property altogether. The longer you leave getting into the market, the harder it may become. Property prices may increase beyond your reach or the cost of living in general may climb, making it harder to save for a deposit.
While you may not be able to afford your dream home now, you can still take steps to help you afford it in the future.

An interior designer can help inject your personal style and personality into your new home. If building a custom or architect-designed home, an interior designer will help connect your carefully crafted exterior with what’s within. Your architect and designer may even work hand in hand to ensure there’s continuity throughout. It’s about creating spaces you enjoy but also those that function efficiently.
Inviting a designer to work on a new home is like presenting a painter with a blank canvas. But don’t wait until your house is complete to introduce your designer. Bring them into the project while it’s under construction to help choose materials for critical design features, such as the kitchen, bathrooms and floors.
Even if building a project home, with limited choices of features and materials, you can make the most of a designer to stamp your own style. Find a designer who is willing to work for just a few hours at an agreed rate to provide advice on colour, art choices and soft furnishings.
Avoid incorporating too many fads into permanent fittings and fixtures. Tastes, trends and technology change so limit bold statements to furniture and décor you can switch out easily.

Before you knock down walls or put up new ones, invest in a visit from an interior designer for sound advice and fresh thinking. A good designer will listen to your brief but overlay it with their experience and insights, which means they can see around the corners you can’t, helping you maximise design opportunities and avoid costly mistakes. Your designer can also project manage some aspects of the renovation for you, which is handy if you work full-time. Costs vary but add at least 10 per cent to your renovation budget for this service.
Show your designer any special items you wish to display, such as a painting or a collection, to ensure your remodel will accommodate them. Interior designers focus on the big picture but also bring an eye for detail to ensure your renovation reflects you, your interests and your lifestyle.
One of the biggest benefits of using an interior designer is their ability to act as a renovation referee, ensuring the project caters to both his and her needs and encouraging compromise where required.

This is when designer tastes can really pay off. A well-staged home can help seal the deal sooner and potentially fetch bigger bucks than if you styled it yourself.
Staging can cost thousands, especially if you hire furniture and art (which can be worth it), but a designer can also help you show your house in its best light on a budget.
One of the first priorities is to declutter. A designer is likely to be more ruthless and less emotional about what to display, and will know how to make rooms appear as light and bright as possible.
Ask your designer to advise on paint, window dressings and soft furnishings, all of which can be easy and inexpensive to change before your house goes on the market.